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Tributes to silent films and the black and white era of the 20's don't happen often. Actually, the only one I can think of is The Artist. With filmmaking as beautiful as these films end up being, it's a wonder they aren't made more often. Maybe if that were the case, the novelty would wear off, and I suppose that wouldn't be good either.
This rendition of Snow White finds itself with a backdrop of 1920-30's Spain. I've never watched the original Snow White (gasp) but I'm sure it's not a black and white silent film with a bull-fighting twist. This film is gorgeous. From top to bottom, this story is conveyed through motions and expressions these actors/actresses were born for. It's also sometimes heart-wrenching, I wanted to cry a few times, but I kept my cool.
Maribel Verdu, the evil step-mother, dare I say is one woman I wanted to strangle more than any character I've ever seen portrayed. She is just a walking, living Satan. I guess it's a testament to how well her acting was. The young actress playing Carmencita is wonderful, and the older actress also playing her is equally magnificent (and attractive too, holy cow was she pretty). Her merry band of dwarves are all great as well, adding a helping hand of compassion to the young bull-fighter.
The direction I want to touch upon, because it's the best element this film has going for it. Besides the wonderful muted acting and the score driving this film along, without Pablo Berger's deft hand at beauty and knowing a beautiful shot from a slightly less-beautiful shot, this film would've failed tremendously. It's proven from the early beginning that this man knows his older cinema and has studied it for many years.
All In All, Blancanieves is marvelous silent film that couldn't get any prettier if it tried. It's on Netflix, you have no excuse. B+
Blancanieves
Tributes to silent films and the black and white era of the 20's don't happen often. Actually, the only one I can think of is The Artist. With filmmaking as beautiful as these films end up being, it's a wonder they aren't made more often. Maybe if that were the case, the novelty would wear off, and I suppose that wouldn't be good either.
This rendition of Snow White finds itself with a backdrop of 1920-30's Spain. I've never watched the original Snow White (gasp) but I'm sure it's not a black and white silent film with a bull-fighting twist. This film is gorgeous. From top to bottom, this story is conveyed through motions and expressions these actors/actresses were born for. It's also sometimes heart-wrenching, I wanted to cry a few times, but I kept my cool.
Maribel Verdu, the evil step-mother, dare I say is one woman I wanted to strangle more than any character I've ever seen portrayed. She is just a walking, living Satan. I guess it's a testament to how well her acting was. The young actress playing Carmencita is wonderful, and the older actress also playing her is equally magnificent (and attractive too, holy cow was she pretty). Her merry band of dwarves are all great as well, adding a helping hand of compassion to the young bull-fighter.
The direction I want to touch upon, because it's the best element this film has going for it. Besides the wonderful muted acting and the score driving this film along, without Pablo Berger's deft hand at beauty and knowing a beautiful shot from a slightly less-beautiful shot, this film would've failed tremendously. It's proven from the early beginning that this man knows his older cinema and has studied it for many years.
All In All, Blancanieves is marvelous silent film that couldn't get any prettier if it tried. It's on Netflix, you have no excuse. B+